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Information for Learners

Learn more about what the changes mean for learner drivers.

Changes to Learner Driver Training and Assessment

Under the proposed reform, learner driver training and assessment processes will be updated to provide relevant tools and support for:

  • learner drivers
  • qualified supervising drivers
  • motor driving instructors

The latest training materials will be designed to:

  • teach learner drivers to drive safely in line with the latest road rules
  • support them as they progress through the driver training and prepare for their practical driving test.

Changes to the practical driving test

Government examiners will conduct practical driving tests for Class C (car) licences, instead of private industry members. Licensed motor driving instructors will continue to deliver driver training.

Driving tests are used to get a provisional (P1) licence or to transfer an overseas licence. A practical driving test will replace:

  • the Competency Based Training and Assessment (commonly referred to as logbook method)
  • the Vehicle on Road Test.

The practical driving test will be used to assess a wide range of driving skills and capabilities. This includes:

  • greater emphasis on road safety
  • sharing the road with others
  • courteous driving.

The learner must show that they are competent to drive unaccompanied on our roads.

Now that the Bill has passed through Parliament, there will be a two-year transition period. The reforms will come into effect in the first half of 2027. Until then, nothing will change for existing learner drivers.

Timing, location and vehicles of practical driving tests

Timing

Under the proposed reforms, government examiners will conduct practical driving tests throughout the week. This includes weekends in metropolitan Adelaide and to suit local needs in rural areas.

Location

Learner drivers in regional South Australia will not have to travel to Adelaide to take a practical driving test.

Government examiners will deliver practical driving tests across South Australia.

Vehicles

Under the new reform, practical driving tests will take place in a government vehicle.

We will provide people living with disabilities access to government vehicles that are modified with basic hand controls. For example, spinner knobs for steering or left indicator control.

There may be times when government vehicles can't support more extensive or specific modifications needed. When this happens, the test may be taken by agreement in either:

  • the individuals' own vehicle
  • a modified vehicle supplied by the industry.

Driving lessons and supervised driving hours

Who can provide driving lessons

Qualified supervising drivers can still supervise and instruct learner drivers. They include parents, grandparents or caregivers who have had a full licence for at least two years.

Ideally, qualified supervising drivers will access the new learning materials. These materials will step them through the process of training a learner driver to drive.

Taking driving lessons from a motor driving instructor can help you:

  • learn the correct road rules
  • build safe driving habits
  • feel more confident behind the wheel.

Instructors have undertaken training and are licensed to teach you to drive and keep you safe with dual brake controls. You can also get credit for lessons to contribute up to 10 hours extra towards your supervised driving hours. If you do five one-hour lessons, this will equate to 15 logged supervised driving hours.

Supervised driving hours

Learner drivers will still need to record 75 hours of supervised driving hours with either:

  • a driving instructor
  • a qualified supervising driver.

Passing or failing a test

Passing the test

The reforms include a digital scoring system. This enables government examiners to:

  • digitally score practical driving tests
  • issue digital certificates of competency upon passing the practical driving test.

Failing the test

When government examiners begin delivering practical driving tests, they will provide feedback and a report to learner drivers who fail the test.

The report will outline:

  • the reasons they failed
  • recommendations on the areas to practise before taking the test again.

Costs of driving tests

Currently, fees for driver training and assessment are not regulated in South Australia. These fees are set by individual operators.

Under the reforms, the government will set the fee for practical driving tests with a government examiner. The fee is expected to be about $240.

Converting an overseas licence

Once the reforms are implemented in 2027, you need to take a practical driving test to convert your overseas licence. You'll have to pass the new practical driving test with a government examiner.

When you are ready to take a practical driving test, you will be able to book it through an online booking system.

Before booking your driving test, it is recommended that you either:

  • take some lessons with a driving instructor
  • study the requirements in the driver training material.

We will be looking at ways to ensure that those who speak languages other than English are not disadvantaged during the testing process.

What to expect from instructors and examiners

Motor driving instructors and authorised examiners must treat you with courtesy and respect. They must behave in a professional manner.

All current licensed motor driving instructors are appropriately qualified and assessed. This is in accordance with our current requirements.

Under the proposed reforms, an online booking system will be developed. This will allow learner drivers to book a practical driving test with a government examiner. A government examiner will be randomly allocated. Learner drivers will not be able to choose who they do a practical driving test with.

We will work with stakeholders to ensure that tests are accessible for all learner drivers.

Motor driving instructors must increase transparency to enter a contract for their service. They must disclose information about their fees, payments and services. This includes cancellation terms and refund rights.

There will be prescribed car requirements, such as dual brake controls and safety standards.

We will publish a public, online register of:

  • licensed motor driving instructors
  • heavy vehicle authorised examiners.

The register will help learner drivers, and their parents, make an informed decision about choosing an instructor.

Technology requirements

All driver training and assessment vehicles will have cameras and GPS installed. This can provide protection for instructors, examiners and students.

Upholding standards and addressing poor behaviour

We encourage learner drivers, parents and members of the public to raise any concerns with us.

When making a complaint, include the following information:

  • where, when and how the incident happened
  • who was involved
  • any other supporting information, such as documents, photos, receipts and witnesses.

We will prioritise complaints based on the details you provide. Depending on the nature of the complaint, we may refer it to a relevant body for investigation. This can include internal investigators, South Australia Police and or other bodies.

More information

For more information on the proposed reforms, contact the project team: